Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Big John Bates got his start in the metal band, Annihilator, during the eighties. If you were a metal fan back then, like many were, you might remember the song, Alison Hell, which got some heavy rotation on Canada's video station, Much Music. He was the vocalist at the time and co-wrote a lot of the songs. He left the band and by the late-nineties, had developed a weird burlesque/gothic/punk image and traded in his metal chops for a more rockabilly punk sound. He has released 4 full lengths to date under Big John Bates or Big John Bates and the Voodoo Dollz. Take Your Medicine was his release from 2006. He actually transforms his Annihilator song, Alison Hell, into a rockabilly tune that clocks in under a minute and a half. Another great tune from that album is the song, Burlesque Is Dead. He's got such a dark sound that can both swing and rock at times. He has done a masterful job at creating theatre for his music. It's sex and horror all rolled into one fine rock and roll spectacle. He tours constantly and plays North America and Europe. He has shared the stage with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Corb Lund and The Blasters. He is currently wrapping up an extensive U.S. tour and is now cutting across Canada to play shows in Ontario this month. His current band is called, John Bates and the Grindhouse and it features two female contortionists that do strange things with fire, electric grinders and snake oil. You can follow him at http://www.bigjohnbates.com/. You can purchase, Take Your Medicine, on Itunes. You can watch the video for the song, Burlesque Is Dead, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOLnmfWicrI). Thanks for reading and enjoy!